Today’s Action: Protect the Civil Rights of Disabled Americans

In what seems more and more like a concerted effort by Republicans to threaten the security of every at-risk member of the U.S. population, Republicans are zeroing in on a new target: Disabled Americans. Last Thursday, the House passed a bill to gut the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – and the vote expected to move to the Senate.

The bill further puts the onus of reporting and suing inaccessible businesses on disabled citizens. At best, a massive emotional burden. At worst, an insurmountable financial hurdle. And in the meantime, no access.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who lost both of her legs in service to our country, gave a personal account the beautifully summed up the need for a strong ADA and summed up the unabashed cruelty of the Republican proposal.

“I understand that not everyone thinks about these things because for most of my adult life I didn’t either,” Duckworth tweeted. “But the truth is that everyone is just one bad day away from needing accessible options the #ADA requires to help them get around.”